rust in fuel tank

whigg · Mar 26, 2013

what is the best way to clean the rust out of the fuel tank.

smcIND · Mar 26, 2013

Just remove it and empty it out. Then take it to the spray car wash and blast it out with hot high pressure water. After blow out with air and allow it to dry. Then reseal it or just put it all back together. I have done 3 or 4 like this and all worked out fine.

Anonymous-0 · Mar 26, 2013

If you don't get it clean enough and you pour tank liner in it you will have problems later on. If it is only slightly rusty you might get it clean enough with muratic acid, if it's really bad,I would take it to a radiator shop that has an acid tank,and have them clean it. Then put liner in.i I have done several for classic cars and tractors with no problems.

Paul from MI · Mar 26, 2013

Had the best results having a radiator shop clean them and line with RedKote. Stops all the problems.

CharlieNJ · Mar 26, 2013

Whigg, I am not sure of the best way to clean out the rust, but here is what I have done to a few tractors.
Drain all the old gas. Remove the tank. Plug the outlet. Pour a quart of lacquer thinner in, put the fill cap on and roll the tank every which way, then let it sit for about an hour with an occasional roll, this cuts the old gum loose. Then, drain out the lacquer thinner. Take your power washer, turn it up high and stick it in the fill hole and turn it every which way inside for five minutes. Drain the water and repeat the power washing until you think most all the loose rust out. Drain the water, and if there are no gas vapors present,(there should not be)immediately stick your heat gun in the fill hole, the tank will get very hot and dry completely in five minutes. This prevents flash rust. Then mix a quart of gas and 2 cycle oil, a good marine 2 cycle is good, mix it fairly oily. Pour that in the tank, and turn the tank every which way to oil the inside top to bottom. Drain that out and put it back together. Put some fresh gas in and you're good to go with a couple hours of work.
Regards,
Charlie

Farmallhal · Mar 26, 2013

I took one to a radiator shop that did a great job removing the rust and crud and installing the liner. I found that to buy all the required chemicals, cleaner and sealing products needed to do the job correctly the cost was very close to what I paid the radiator shop. As I recall the cleaning and the coating was $120 and has been trouble free since then, Hal.

mike1972chev · Mar 27, 2013

I have one that was cleaned by "Redi Strip"(Chemical cleaning) here in Indianapolis for my Ford and and My Farmall Super M I did with Muratic acid. BOTH have been sucessful so far.(I DID NOT coat either tank inside.Still Get some ever slight rust in the sediment bowl on the Farmall.ALL BIG STUFF is gone now.)

I HIGHLY suggest keeping the tank "topped off" with fuel as much as possible. The more they sit around "doing nothing",the more likely the upper part of the tank will start to "grow" rust AGAIN.

LMack · Mar 27, 2013

If you are inclined to do it yourself and do it correctly then use the following link and buy the kit from Eastwood. I did and my tank with rust and holes was fixed and lined. Now I have no problems and I do not worry about keeping the tank full.
Eastwood

rust in fuel tank

whigg

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smcIND

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Anonymous-0

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Paul from MI

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CharlieNJ

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Farmallhal

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mike1972chev

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LMack

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